Lost boy of Sudan: Gabriel Bol Deng to speak March 28

SCHROON — Gabriel Bol Deng will discuss his experiences escaping from a warzone at Schroon Lake Central School later this month.

In 1987 when Bol Deng was 10-years-old, there was an attack on his home village of Ariang in South Sudan by North Sudanese Murahileen militiamen.

He escaped and began a four-month long journey on foot to the Dimma Refugee Camp in Ethiopia.

Several years later, he fled to Kenya, where he faced more than just disease, famine and violence.

Throughout his experiences, Bol Deng was inspired to pursue and further his education despite the odds.

In 2001 he came to the U.S. as part of the Refugee Resettlement Program and in 2007 returned to his home village for the first time in over 20 years.

Bol Deng realized the needs in his community and started the HOPE for Ariang Foundation to help rebuild his village and is now traveling to inspire people with a message of hope, resiliency and hard work.

Superintendent Stephen Gratto said he had Bol Deng speak at his previous school in Champlain and thought he was a good speaker with a good message.

“I also like to highlight people who are doing good,” he said. He’s giving back to his community in Africa. I think that’s a good message for my students to hear.”

Gratto believes Bol Deng’s message is more relevant now than ever before with the current refugee crisis impacting society.

Gratto said to help prepare his students for this presentation, he has asked for any teachers talking about current events to discuss the Syrian refugees who are currently experiencing a similar situation.

He has also asked them to expose their students to a book titled “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, which tells a survival story about a boy who becomes one of the lost boys of Sudan. Although this book is not about Bol Deng, it tells a similar story.

“I’m sure it will lead to a good discussion afterwards,” he said.

Gratto said the presentation is open to the public on a limited basis. Anyone interested in attending the event on March 28 at 2 p.m. is encouraged to email Stephen Gratto at sgratto@slwildcats.org to make a reservation.